PM outlines plans to combat GBV

A SPECIFIC crime desk is to be set up in all police stations to deal with gender-based violence issues, says Prime Minister James Marape.
He was responding to questions by the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop in parliament on issues faced by victims of gender-based violence when they reported to the family and sexual violence unit.
Parkop said it was necessary for the Government to bring in foreign support to help the police solve law and order problems.
“One of the big problems and challenge in our country, especially in dealing with gender-based violence, is that our police do not have the capacity to prosecute, arrest and investigate perpetrators,” he said.
Parkop said the family and sexual violence unit in the police system was lacking in their job as most perpetrators were not brought to justice.
Marape said gender-based violence had been abused for so long even though there were existing laws to deal with the issue or violence as a whole.
“Any form of gender-based violence is a criminal offence in itself.
“And that is specified in our present laws,” he said
“However, these laws have not been effective.
“And perpetrators are not being prosecuted for the crimes they commit.”
Marape said the Government was considering the issue and had set pathways to minimise it through the Police Minister and Madang MP Bryan Kramer.